Hook-thimble combination



May 16, 1967 R. A. RATcLlFF 3,3l9,991

HOOK-THIMBLE COMBINATION Filed Oct. ll, 1965 INVENTOR ,PMP/1' 4. Pnraz/FF United States Patent 3,319,991 HOOK-THIMBLE COMBINATION Ralph A.Ratcliif, 1300 Sunnyslope Ave., Belmont, Calif. 94002 Filed Get. 11,1965, Ser. No. 494,832 Claims. (Cl. 2913-82) This invention relatesgenerally to a hook-thimble combination. More particularly thisinvention relates to a thimble member which is selectively receivable inengagement with the curved body portion of a hook member. Still moreparticularly this invention relates to a thimble which is employed inconjunction with a conventional hook to solve safety problems heretoforeencountered with hooks of the type disclosed herein. In this connection,the combination of this invention is designed to strengthen a hook whichforms part of the combination, to prevent damage to a load sustainingelement engaged with the hook, and to prevent inadvertent disengagementof such a load sustaining element from operative engagement with thehook once such engagement is effected.

Hooks of the type disclosed herein are conventional stock items producedby various manufacturers, and such hooks are available in various sizesdesigned for accommodating loads of maximum known quantities. Such hooksare utilized in numerous ways, such as in conjunction With electricallyactuated or manually actuated hoists and similar load sustainingdevices. An illustrative utilization of such a hook in conjunction witha manually actuated hoist is illustrated in my Patent No. 2,967,046,dated lan. 3, 1961. In that patent the hook construction shown istypical of standard hooks commonly employed before this invention.

While hereinafter reference is directed for illustrative purposes to useof this invention in conjunction with a hoist type load 'bearing device,applicability of this invention to other wide and varied uses in whichhooks are commonly employed falls equally Within the scope of thisinvention.

With conventional hooks of the type shown at the bottom of FIG. 3 of myaforementioned patent, it is common to engage a load supporting element,such as a fiexible cable, directly with the hook body. This directengagement with the hook usually results in an abrupt bend being formedin the cable which, not infrequently, produces one of two undesired anddangerous results, namely; (1) the cable is sharply distorted and thestrands thereof may become broken due to the sharp |bend impartedthereto, particularly after repeated use; and (2) because the cable isengaged with only a limited portion of the hook body, when heavy loadsare supported by the cable the hook 'body may become distorted or bentfrom its conventional standard shape. In either case, release of theload supported by the hook can be an unwanted result.

The hook-thimble combination of this invention is designed to preservesuch a load supporting cable from distortion and preclude breakingthereof, and also to distribute the load imparted to the hook 'body bythe cable over a substantial portion of the hook body so that hookbending and other distortion is obviated.

From the foregoing it should be understood that objvects of thisinvention include the provision of an improved hook-thimble combinationhaving an extremely safe construction; the provision of a thimble memberspecifically designed to cooperate with a hook construction to preserveload supporting element engageable with the hook and to prevent hookdistortion by distributing stresses over a substantial portion of thehook body; the provision of a hook-thimble combination in which thethimble member additionally provides 'a Safety gate to precludeaccidental separation of a load supporting element engaged with thethimble; the provision of a thimble member which is insertible intooperative engagement with a hook body through the thr'oat openingthereof in one position only so that accidental separation of thethimble from the hook body normally is precluded; and the provision in ahook-thirnble safety combination of means for looking the thimble in oneoperative position; and the provision in a thimble member of a curvedstress relieving saddle or seat with which a load sustaining cable maybe engaged without a-brupt bending. These and other objects of thisinvention will become apparent from a study of the following descriptionin which reference is directed to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject hookthimblecombination.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the combination of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section through the thimbletaken in the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the thimble member of the subject combination.

FIG. 5 is a Vertical sectional view through the thimble taken in theplane of line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

PIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing the mode of selectiveinsertion of the thimble member into operative engagement with the hookbody.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the hook-thimble combination withthe thimble oriented in an inverted operative position for a specificpurpose.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are front and side elevational views respectively of ahook-thimble combination showing a modified thimble construction andmeans in conjunction therewith for locking the thimble against rotationfrom an operative position.

The combination of this invention, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, comprisesa hook member, generally designated 1, and a generally spool shapedthimble member, generally designated 2, operatively positioned withinthe area lying between opposed portions of the hook 'and substantiallyfilling such area. As mentioned previously, such a hook member has manyand varied uses and one illustrative use is shown at the bottom of FIG.3 of my aforementioned patent in which such hook is operatively engagedwith a chain which passes through the housing of a hand operated hoistfor sustaining a load engaged with the hook. To permit engagement of thehook with the chain in such an arrangement, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 ofthe attached drawings, the hook is provided with a s'hank portion 3which terminates in a threaded upper end 4 on which is received asuitable lock nut 6, the purpose of which is to retain a mounting clevis7 pivotally engaged with the hook shank. It is to such clevis that thehoist chain is connected, as seen in FIG. 3 of said aforementionedpatent.

The size of the thimble member is determined in accordance with thedimensions of the particular commercially available hook with which thethimble is to be used. It is envisioned that each such hook will have aspecific thimble usable therewith, although under certain circumstancesa given thimble may be eifectively used with more than one size or styleof hook.

Depending from the shank portion 3 of the hook is a curved body portion,generally designated 8, which terminates in an outwardly directedpointed end 9. Hook end 9 is spaced from the shank portion and a throatopening 11 is thereby provided between the hook and the shank portion.It is through throat opening 11 that the thimble member is selectivelyinsertable and removable in a manner to be described. In this regard, itwill be noted from FIG. 6 that the throat opening of a given hook is ofa predetermined `maximum lateral dimension D. Such dimension normally isstandard for hooks of similar rated capacity and size, as are the otherdimensions of the hook.

As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the hook body portion has acurved internal surface, generally designated 12, which is generallycircular in configuration for the major portion of its length extendingbetween the shank portion and the hook end. It is this curved internalportion of the hook body portion with which the thimble member isintended to be closely engaged.

In the thimble embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the thimble hasgenerally the configuration of a spool which in side elevation has agenerally circular outline. This thimble embodiment is defined by acentral core portion 15 which extends between and interconnectslaterally spaced fiange portions 16 and 17. The fiange portionscooperate to define a groove, generally designated 18, which extendsaround the periphery of core 15. As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5,the core for the major portion of its periphery 19 is of curvedconfiguration, the curvature of which is designed to correspond with thecurvature of the internal surface 12 of the hook body portion. In theembodiment illustrated, the curvature of core periphery 19 is generallycircular and thereby corresponds to the generally circular internalsurface of the hook -body portion. Thus the core substantially fills theinternal area of the hook body When the thimble is located therein, asseen in FIG. 3.

To permit only selective insertion and removal of the thimble from thehook body, the generally circular core is provided with a flattenedgenerally planar top portion 21. In this connection it should beunderstood that the maximum diameter of the circular portion of the coreexceeds the predetermined dimension D of the hook throat opening so thatinsertion or removal of the thimble relative to the hook body isprecluded in most orientations of the thirnble. However, by providingthe core with a planar top portion, the thimble is provided with aminimum dimnesion d betwen the flattened portion 21 of the core and theopposite curved portion 19 thereof. This core dimension d is onlyslightly less than the predetermined dimension D of the hook throatopening. Thus, by orienting the thimble as seen in FIG. 6 With theflattened core portion lying adjacent the hook end 9, the thimble may bemoved through the throat opening without interference during insertionthereof into the hook body. Following such insertion, the thimble isrotated to its normal operative position shown in FIG. 3 so that thecurved periphery 19 of the core is engaged With the correspondinglycurved internal surface 12 of the hook body.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the respective flanges 16 and 17 'ofthe thirnble is provided with a pair of spaced ears 23, 24 and 26, 27.Depending upon the configuration and length of such ears, the thimble inside elevation will vary to a greater or lesser degree from a generallycircular outline. Such ears impart a safety gate feature to thehook-thimble combination as will be described. However, the ears alsorestrict insertion of the thimble through the throat opening unless thethimble is oriented as shown in FIG. 6. That is, if it is attempted toinsert the thimble when in the opposite orientation from that shown inFIG. 6, the ears on the respective flanges normally will engage with theshank portion of the hook and thereby preclude thimble insertion throughthe throat opening.

Formed in the thimble and projecting generally radially thereintobetween the opposed ears on the respective flanges thereof is anopening, designated 31, through which a load supporting cable or likeelement may be inserted for engagement with the thimble. In theembodiment illustrated such opening is defined by a slot which extendsgenerally radially into the thimble to and part way through the corefrom one margin of the thimble. It is through such slot that the loadsupporting cable, shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 and generallydesignated 32, is receivable.

As mentioned previously, in the absence of the thimble of thishook-thimble combination, load supporting cable 32 would normally beengaged directly with the curved internal portion 12 of the hook body.Because the hook body in transverse cross section is of relativelynarrow construction, a cable engaged therewith would be abruptly bentand distorted by such hook body, thereby resulting in cable damage andultimate breakage upon continued use. Also, in the absence of thethimble of this invention such a load supporting cable Would engage onlya limited portion of the hook body. When substantial loads are supportedby the cable, such loads could distort and deform the hook body makingthe hook unusable, thus presenting extreme safety problems.

The thimble is provided in conjunction with the hook to preclude suchabrupt bending and to insure stress distribution over a substantialportion of the hook body. To this end the thimble is provided with anenlarged saddle portion, generally designated 33, which extendstransversely of the core and projects laterally in opposite directionsbeyond the confines of the flanges of the thimble, as best seen in FIG.2. This saddle portion includes a pair of spaced ribs 34 which projectfrom each associated flange as best seen in FIG. 4.

The top of the saddle portion defines a curved seat 36 whichcommunicates directly with the base of the slot 31. Thus a loadsupporting cable inserted through the slot is directly engageable withthe seat. As perhaps best seen in the dotted line showing of FIG. 2,seat 36 is gradually curved, has no abrupt bends therein, and preferablytakes the form of an arc of a circle. Thus any chance of abrupt bendingof and damage to a load supporting cable 32 engaged With the thimble isprecluded because the thimble saddle seat increases appreciably thebending radius over which the cable passes. In this connection, slot 31in the thimble and the curved seat With which the cable is engaged areformed in the thimble so that the cable 32 is suspended generallyaxially of the shank portion of the hook, as seen in FIG. 1, when thethimble is properly oriented. Thus, the direction of pull imparted tothe hook by the cable remains centered regardless of the direction ofstrain applied.

As mentioned previously, the thimble also provides the additionalimportant advantage of providing a safety gate for the hook by blockingthe throat opening when the thimble is properly oriented. Thusinadvertent separation 'of the cable from operative engagement with thehookthimble combination may be precluded. That is, the thirnble providesa safety gate which blocks the throat opening when the thimble is in theposition shown in FIGS. l and 3. This safety gate blocking function isperformed by the ears 24 and 27 on the opposed flanges 16 and 17 asshould be apparent from FIGS. l and 3. In this connection, referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, by lengthening the ears on the flanges, so that they takethe appearance indicated by ears 23', 24' and 26', 27' of themodification of FIGS. 8 and 9, the throat opening may be even morecompletely blocked.

While normally the thimble will remain in the preferred operativeposition shown in FIGS. l and 2 without assistance, under certainOperating circumstances it may be desired to positively precluderotation of the thimble in the hook body, and means may be provided forpositively looking the thimble against such rotation. One simple lookingmeans for that purpose has been shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and comprises alooking member, which in the ernbodiment illustrated is defined by alength of Wire 41, which is projected through spaced holes 42 and 43provided in each of the fianges 16 and 17 of the thimble. The ends ofWire locking member are then brought together and twisted to secure thesame in place. Thus, the Wire locking member extends across the throatopening, as best seen in PIG. 8, in close proximity to the shank portion3 and the end 9 of the hook. Any attempt thereafter to rotate thethimble is positively precluded by engagement of the Wire looking memberwith the hook shank 3 or hook end 9.

In those situations in which the hook size is suiiciently large topermit engagement of a load supporting cable 32 directly with the hookwithout encountering the safety problems mentioned previously, thethimble of this inventon may perform solely a safety gate function whenoriented as seen in FIG. 7. That is, by rotating the thim- 'ble from itspreferred operative position, in which the cable receiving slot 31extends generally upwardly in alignment with the hook shank portion, tothe invertcd position seen in FIG. 7, the cable may be freed fromengagement With the thimble saddle portion and may drop into engagementdirectly with the curved internal surface 12 of the hook body. In thisarrangement the thimble completely blocks the throat opening and servessolely as a safety gate. Under most circumstances, however, the thimblewould be employed for the dual Safety purposes mentioned previously.

While hereinbefore reference has been directed to use of a fiexiblecable load supporting element in conjunction with the thimble, it shouldbe understood that other suitable load supporting elements also areusable with this invention and will receive the advantages producedthereby when so used.

Having thus made a full dislcosure of this invention, reference isdirected to the appended claims for the scope to be af'forded thereto.

I claim:

1. A hook-thimble combination, compn'sing (A) a hook defined by (l) ashank portion, and

(2) a curved 'body portion terminating in an end spaced from said shankportion and `defining a throat opening therewith, and

(B) a thimble positioned within said hook body portion, said thimblehaving (1) an opening therein, the base of which provides a seat for aload supporting element to be engaged with said thimble,

(2) a central core, a portion of the periphery of which correspondsgenerally with the configuration of an inner surface of the body portionof said hook along the bottom thereof,

whereby stresses imparted to said thimble upon engagement of said loadsupporting element With said thimble are distributed by said thimbleover a substantial portion of said hook body portion,

(3) a saddle portion extending transversely of said core and projectinglaterally in opposite directions from said thimble,

(4) the upper surface of said saddle portion defining said seat at thebase of said opening which is curved and free of abrupt bends,

so that abrupt bending of said load -supporting element engaged withsaid thimble, and resultant damage thereto, is precluded by saidthimble.

2. The thimble of the combination of claim 1 in which (5) said seatdefined by the upper surface of said saddle portion definessubstantially an arc of a circle,

(6) the center of such arc lying generally in line with the axis of theshank portion of said hook when said thirnble is operatively positionedwith said hook body portion.

3. The thimble of the combination of claim 1 in which (5) said thimbleopening comprises a slot which eX- tends generally radially into saidthimble to and partially through said core from one margin of saidthimble, and which further includes (6) means blocking said throatopening to preclude removal of said load supporting element fromengagement with said saddle portion when said thimble is oriented withsaid slot opening upwardly in general alignment with said hook shankportion.

4. The thimble of the combination of claim 1 in which (5) 'said thirnblecore has a configuration which permits sliding insertion and removal ofsaid thimble through said throat opening when said thim'ble is arrangedin one particular orientation but which precludes such insertion andremoval in orientations other than such one orientation,

(a) said core being generally circular in cross-section and having aflattened portion along one margin thereof,

(b) said flattened portion reducing the dimension of said core in onedirection to less than the dimension of said hook throat opening so thatsaid thimble may be slidably inserted through said throat opening Whensaid thimble is arranged in said one orientation.

5. The thimble of the combination of claim 1 which further includes (5)a pair of fiange portions provided on opposite sides of said core,

(6) said fiange portions being engaged with outer side surfaces of saidhook body portion and thereby precluding lateral shiftng of saidthimble,

(7) said saddle portion and the seat defined by the upper surfacethereof projecting laterally beyond said fiange portions.

6. The thimble of the combination of claim 3 in which said throatblocking means of said thirnble comprises (7) an enlarged ear providedon said thimble which extends in a direction generally away from saidseat of said saddle portion so that it may lie across said throatopening of said hook.

7. The thimble of the combination of claim 6 which further includes (8)means for looking said thimble in said position with said ear lyingacross said throat opening.

8. The hook-thimble combination of claim 3 in which said throat blockingmeans of said thirnble comprises (7) enlarged ears extending from eachof two spaced flanges provided on opposite sides of said core,

(8) one such ear being provided on each side of said thimble slot oneach of said fianges, and in which said combination includes lockingmeans comprising (9) a rotation preventing member extending across saidthroat opening and secured between each pair of said spaced ears so asto be engageable with said hook shank portion and said hook end uponattempted rotation of said thimble to positively preclude such rotation.

9. For use in combination With a hook which s defined 'by a shankportion and a curved body portion which terminates in an end spaced fromsaid shank portion and defines a throat opening therewith,

(A) a thimble receivable through said throat opening of such hook andpositionable Within said body portion thereof, said thimblecomprising 1) a generally spool shaped peripherally grooved body havinga central core and fianges at opposite ends of said core,

(2) said core having a maximum dimension which normally precludesinsertion thereof through said hook throat opening and a minimumdimension which permits such insertion,

(3) a slot |opening extending generally radially 7 into said thimblefrom a margin thereof into said core, and

(4) an enlarged sadddle portion extending transversely of said core andprojecting laterally beyond said core fianges,

(5) the base of said slot defining the upper sutface of said saddleportion,

(6) said saddle portion upper surface providing an enlarged curved seatover which a load sustaining member is engageable With said thimbleWithout abrupt bending thereof.

10. The thirnble of claim 9 which includes (7) means for blocking saidthroat opening of said hook 8 when said thimble is oriented Within saidhook body portion With said slot opening exteuding generally in linewith said hook shank portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,036,135 3/1936Greenup 24-242 X FOREIGN PATENTS 669,873 4/ 1952 Great Britain.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examner.

C. F. ABRAHAM, Assistant Examiner.

1. A HOOK-THIMBLE COMBINATION, COMPRISING (A) A HOOK DEFINED BY (1) ASHANK PORTION, AND (2) A CURVED BODY PORTION TERMINATING IN AN ENDSPACED FROM SAID SHANK PORTION AND DEFINING A THROAT OPENING THEREWITH,AND (B) A THIMBLE POSITIONED WITHIN SAID HOOK BODY PORTION, SAID THIMBLEHAVING (1) AN OPENING THEREIN, THE BASE OF WHICH PROVIDES A SEAT FOR ALOAD SUPPORTING ELEMENT TO BE ENGAGED WITH SAID THIMBLE, (2) A CENTRALCORE, A PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY OF WHICH CORRESPONDS GENERALLY WITH THECONFIGURATION OF AN INNER SURFACE OF THE BODY PORTION OF SAID HOOK ALONGTHE BOTTOM THEREOF, WHEREBY STRESSES IMPARTED TO SAID THIMBLE UPONENGAGEMENT OF SAID LOAD SUPPORTING ELEMENT WITH SAID THIMBLE AREDISTRIBUTED BY SAID THIMBLE OVER A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID HOOK BODYPORTION,